Top five health issues concerning college students

Health concerns for college students are growing
By: Angela Brantley
Health Beat

LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 19, 2007) - Research from academic databases through Cal State University Library identifies five concerns among college students regarding their health: alcohol abuse, mental disorders, eating disorders, health care costs and sexually transmitted diseases.

In regard to the first issue, alcohol abuse, author Jennifer Jordan reported in the Providence Journal that the University of Providence rushed 51 students to the hospital as a result of binge drinking since their fall semester; forty-three of those students were freshmen and sophomores.

PR Newswire gave current statistics, from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, indicating that drinking by college students also accounts for 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault in the United States.

The second concern, mental disorders, is also evident in many universities. Suicide, due to mental disorders, is the second leading cause of death for college students, according to Christian Newswire.

The University of Michigan recognizes this concern and created the Fifth Annual Depression on College Campuses conference; this conference was created by experts to inform students about depression and how to treat it, according to Christian Newswire.

The third concern is eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 10 million women and 1 million men in the United States suffer from eating disorders; ninety-percent of these people are between the ages of 12 and 25, reported Christine Dell’Amore. College students are not being treated for eating disorders and are being disregarded. “We’re not getting people the help the (need), and that should be setting the alarms off on college campuses,” said Lynn Grete, CEO of NEDA.

The lack of health care for college students is the fourth concern. Students entering into college are left with few options regarding to health insurance. Many students “go bare” or rely on their parents’ coverage as a dependant; although, many plans have age-based cut-offs for dependent by age 19 or 23, according to Aetna online.

In regard to the last issue, sexually transmitted diseases, Bear River Health Department accounts for 67 percent of their STD clients to college students reported Amy Sue Heaton. Bear River District has also reported 15 infections of HIV and 41 cases of AIDS in the past year alone stated Heaton.

One week till midterms- stress levels are rising

Mid-terms are in a week, which means I have a week to do an overview of all my classes. More importantly, the semester is half-way over and I need to start thinking about an interview.

I need an interview for my health beat. Therefore, I need to look at my resources and set up an interview with the highest-ranking health official I can find. The last thing I want to do is wait till last minute.

I am still researching into the Meningitis case at Cal State Long Beach to figure out whether this disease is of great importance. If it is, my interview will most likely be associated with this disease.

Allison goes to Japan

Today, in journalism 311, I interviewed Cal State Long Beach classmate Allison Rogers. I interviewed Rogers with the purpose of trying to get to know her, while trying to find a story. The interview was a perfect first-time experience.

The interview began with questions about Rogers' childhood. The interview then continued until I got the story. Her story was about her trip to Japan.







Allison Rogers has experienced Japan
By: Angela Brantley
Health Beat

LONG BEACH, Calif. (March 12, 2007) Allison Rogers, a student at Cal State University of Long Beach, is one of the many students who are pursuing a career in the public relations professions; what sets her apart is her cultural experience in Japan.

Rogers went to Japan for a week for her cousins wedding and experienced a cultural shock that influenced her career decision. Japan was “one of the neatest places I’ve ever been,” said Rogers. Rogers said she recognized her dreams of traveling abroad through public relations when she had her cultural experience in Japan.

Japan’s architecture was advanced, yet traditional, said Rogers. She was astonished by the prevalence of nudity in advertisements and how different food tasted. The wedding customs, such as the music, were also shocking for Rogers.

At the wedding they played traditional Japanese music, as well as country for her uncle, stated Rogers. The overall experience, “opened my eyes,” said Rogers. This experience in Japan was the one that inspired Rogers to pursue public relations, internationally, said Rogers, and now she is one-step ahead in gaining insight into other customs.

Rogers grew up in Huntington Beach and had never traveled farther than the country of Mexico. Rogers added that her dreams of traveling when she was younger might have added to her career pursuits. When she was in high school she was class president, a waitress and a scholarly student; yet, she felt unfulfilled because of her lack of traveling.

According to Rogers, she said she plans on traveling more and, hopefully, returns to Japan soon.

Meningitis a concern at CSULB

After a case of meningitis broke out at Cal State Long Beach, I will consider changing my top five health concerns list to include this disease.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported on the meningitis case at CSULB on March 6. The article included brief information about the woman infected with the disease, the cause of the disease, and the spread of meningitis.

After the woman was diagnosed with meningitis, the student health center at CSULB provided vaccinations and antibiotic provisions for students.

I will seek further information about other cases of meningitis to find out if this disease is a top concern for college students and everyone else.

The official top five health concerns are now posted

Based on research from academic databases through the Cal State Long Beach library the top five concerns among college students are: alcohol abuse, mental disorders, eating disorders, health care and sexually transmitted diseases.

Researching begins

Today I went with my journalism class to the Cal State Long Beach library. We were taught how to locate useful articles, books and statistics for research on our assigned beats. The lesson was very helpful; it gave me a place to start.

Now that I have started my research, I have a good idea of what the top health concerns are for college students. By next Monday, I have been assigned make a list of the top five concerns. After a little more research I will definitely be prepared with a top five list.

Alcohol consumption a concern for college students

Alcohol consumption for the college-aged is a concern among parents, campus employees and the public. Over the years, “binge” drinking is being linked more frequently to college students. According to national researchers, 44 percent of college students are engaging in “binge” drinking.

Excessive drinking by college students, between the ages of 18 and 24, are leading to negative consequences for the student and innocent bystanders. Research suggests that college students are to blame for 1,400 deaths, 500,000 injuries and 70,000 cases of assault and rape. High-risk drinking also harms the students and their performance in school. Twenty-five percent of students who are “binge” drinkers experience problems such as: missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams and receiving lower grades.

If you are a student, between the age of 18 and 24, you need to take precautions before consuming alcohol. Be well informed about the consequences of drinking and establish limits. Drinking can be done in moderation to save the lives of yourself, and others.